Mount Vernon Resident Wants Bike Path Restored

Eddie Bravard of Mount Vernon reached out to the City Council to get in touch with the state to add a fence to a protective wall that is falling apart on E. 5th Street.Photo Credit: Greg MakerResidents of Mount Vernon and Pelham are hoping that a bicycle path near the Hutchinson River will be cleaned up.Photo Credit: Greg Maker

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MOUNT VERNON, N.Y. – Mount Vernon resident Eddie Bravard wants the county to fix a bicycle path and protective wall next to the Hutchinson River near the Pelham border, which he says is not only an eyesore but a safety hazard.

Bravard reached out to the Mount Vernon City Council at its meeting Wednesday night, saying that attempts to get in touch with county and state representatives have not been successful. Bravard, co-chair of Hands Across the Hutch, a group from Mount Vernon and Pelham that aims to clean up the area around the Hutchinson River, said the group wants the bicycle path that runs parallel to the river cleaned up and restored. Currently, the path is covered by leaves and debris.

Bravard said that the group also wants to put up a fence on a protective wall on E. 5th Street to prevent littering. Bravard wants repairs made to the wall, which is missing several bricks, not only ruining the aesthetics but causing a safety hazard.

“That wall is falling apart and pretty soon it won’t be a wall anymore,” Bravard said. “I want some help to get in touch with state representatives. A fence that was put up on the bridge at Latham Avenue saved a woman’s life who tried to commit suicide. We are trying to put one up where we are.”

Councilman J. Yuhanna Edwards said he has surveyed the area where the bicycle path is and couldn’t believe what has happened to it over the years. Edwards is in support of cleaning the bicycle path to open it up to residents looking for a place to ride.

Councilwoman Karen Watts-Yehudah said a camera is being installed in that area to monitor dumping problems and other issues.

“We agree as a council that we need to get a hold of the state,” Watts-Yehudah said.